Baytree 8K

Have you been following Bryan Fazio’s articles, one of VDT’s sports writers, as he prepares himself to participate in the 2nd Annual Baytree 8K on Independence Day, July 4th? These articles have chronicled the path he has taken from deciding to run to the event on July 4th. Fazio is a typical individual who made a decision to improve his quality of life, and the articles have shared the benefits he has felt along the way. 

The Baytree 8K is only three days away. This July 4th Independence Day Celebration is open to runners and walkers alike. There will be an Honor Guard, singing of the National Anthem, recognition of Veterans and Active Military and a whole lot more. The results of the event will be posted in the Valdosta Daily Times and a local photographer will be offering the opportunity to purchase memories, all on July 5th. Anyone who wants to participate or volunteer can get signed up by going to Get Active – Running and more to register on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. There will be extended hours at Get Active on Tuesday until 8 PM to help get people registered for the Wednesday morning event. Register on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday, get your race number and instructions right then – all set for Wednesday morning. Sponsors already supporting the family event include Get Active - Running and more, Valdosta Daily Times, NewsTalk 105.9 FM, Valdosta-Lowndes County Sports Commission, ENT & Allergy Associates of SG, Blanton & Griffin Insurance Agency, WinnDixie MarketPlace, MickiK Photography, Advanced Portable Toilet Service along with Boardwalk and Guardian Bank. Proceeds from the event go to the Lowndes Veterans Council – therefore all Veterans in Lowndes will benefit on this most Patriotic Day. Support the Veterans as they supported and sacrificed for all Americans. After the 2006 event, a donation of $1000 was presented to the Council, with the support of the sponsors and participants; we look forward to a larger donation this year. You will want to pre-register at the Get Active store before race day to make it easier for everyone on race day. 

Baytree 8K is working hard to make this an event that all of Valdosta and South Georgia can be proud of. Mayor John Fretti is scheduled to be the official starter. Valdosta’s own Mrs. Georgia, Ava Moore, will be available before and after the event signing autographs while also participating as a walker. Mrs. Georgia is wearing race number 1. The Moody Air Force Base Marathon team has named this event as a time trial for those interested in making the marathon team for MAFB, to compete in September at Patterson AFB in Ohio. Veteran’s and Active Military people will be easily recognized as they are running in the event. Veterans will have race numbers between 501 and 599. Active Military participants will have race numbers between 401 and 499. All other participants will have race numbers between 1 and 399. Before the participants are sent off down Baytree, an Honor Guard and singing of the National Anthem will be done, as well as recognizing of the Veterans and Active Military personnel who are in the event. Annually this Independence Day event will be presented, to honor our Veterans and Active Military on this most Patriotic Day, and an event that all of South Georgia can be proud of participating. 

The Baytree 8K starts at 7:30 AM on Wednesday morning. If, on July 4th, you have not already registered or picked up your race number at Get Active – Running and more, then you will need to be at the starting area before 7AM to assure you can get registered. The registration on July 4th will be held at the Baytree Animal Hospital on Baytree. There will be port-a-johns and water at the start area also. Parking is plentiful in the area, though not at Baytree Animal Hospital. Find a location that is convenient for you between the starting line and finish line. The finish line is located on Norman Drive at the first traffic light off of Baytree. The finish line activities will be held in The Home Depot parking lot. 

Once the Baytree 8K has wrapped up for the day, all the participants and their families are invited to the Spirit of America Celebration that starts at 2 PM with family oriented fun, food and live music. Wednesday evening on NewsTalk 105.9FM WVGA, the race day will be wrapped up during the Get Active South Georgia show between 6 and 7 PM. The day starts with a participatory event for the whole family, moves on to an outdoor party for the whole family that ends with Fireworks around 9:30 PM that evening for the whole family. 

Outstanding Performances:

After 18 years of outstanding performances and supporting the running community in South Georgia and North Florida, a member of our community is moving with the family to Florence, SC. The name Alan Thomas has been recorded in this weekly article more weeks than not. Thomas competed in high school in Albany, for GA Tech in college and all over since leaving college. He has been a running partner to many in the area, always quick with encouraging words and a positive attitude. Mr. Alan Thomas, thank you for all the time, energy and effort you have given of yourself to the Valdosta and South Georgia community. South Carolina is getting a truly special man and family.

Other events coming up include a series of Cross Country races are available every Thursday evening starting at 7 PM at Freedom Park. The first Thursday is July 12th and ends on August 9th. There is a 1 mile event every week and the 5K event immediately following the 1 mile. This event is open to all-comers; there is no cost, no frill event. Middle School, High School and College runners as well as fitness runners of all ages would certainly benefit from the opportunity this presents. You are invited to come and enjoy.

Winners Ville Triathlon will be held on 09/08/07 and starts at 7:30 AM. Flyers are available now. The distances include 0.25 mile swim, 14 mile bike and 3.6 mile run. Many are in training for this local Valdosta event; you too can be a part. 

There are weekly, free activities for the runners and cyclists in the area. Runners can show up at Get Active on Saturday and Sunday morning at 7AM for runs from 1.5 to 8 plus mile runs. Thursday morning is a women’s ONLY run, and the other runs are all-comers. Cyclists can meet for rides on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information, check out the web page at www.azaleacitycyclists.com. 

Do you have results you want to share about yourself, a loved one or friend? Send, email or call the information in to me at Get Active – Running and more. 

If you have questions about your walking, running or other training, drop me an email and I will do my level best to answer your questions. Email getactive.val@earthlink.net or join the GetActiveSouthGeorgia yahoo group. Listen to the Get Active South Georgia radio show on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 7PM on NewsTalk 105.9 FM WVGA to receive additional information or to ask questions. Todd & Alice Smoot

Thank you,

Todd & Alice Smoot

GET ACTIVE 
Running and more

GET ACTIVE SOUTH GEORGIA as heard on NewsTalk 105.9 FM WVGA Wednesdays
6 to 7 PM - call into the show at 229-241-1059
GET ACTIVE SOUTH GEORGIA  as read weekly in the Sunday VDT - look for us
www.getactivevaldosta.com
3200-C North Ashley Street
Valdosta, GA 31602
229-219-0010
229-219-0012 (F)

In the long run, one must have goals to succeed.

"To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift" Steve Prefontaine